Labour grandees have said that Jeremy Corbyn would not automatically be on the ballot paper for a future leadership contest.

Former leader Neil Kinnock and former deputy leader John Prescott both insisted Jeremy Corbyn would need the support of 51 MPs and MEPs to get on to the ballot if he faces a formal leadership challenge.

The issue is hotly disputed by Mr Corbyn’s team - partly because he does not have enough supporters - and could ultimately see the future of the Labour Party decided in the High Court.

The debate centres round the contested Labour Party rules for what happens when a leader is challenged by another MPs.

To formally spark a leadership contest any challenger must gather support from 20% of Labour MPs and MEPs - currently 51 politicians in total.

Neil Kinnock has said Jeremy Corbyn would need the backing of 51 MPs and MEPs (Image: Getty)

Any other challenger must also collect 51 nominations - but it is less clear whether the sitting leader would also have to do so.

Lord Kinnock, appearing on the BBC ’s Marr Show, pointed out he had had to collect support from MPs when challenged by left-winger Tony Benn in 1988.

“The constitution provides... that the leader of the party must have a substantial amount of backing from Labour Members of parliament,” Lord Kinnock said.

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“In circumstances in which 172 Labour MPs voted for a motion of no confidence in Jeremy, and only 40 voted against his position, patently, under the constitution, under the rules of the Labour party , under the democratic provisions of the Labour party and the common sense provisions of the Labour party that a leader must have substantial support in the parliamentary party, obviously there’s no basis on which Jeremy really could or should stay.”

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott also says Jeremy Corbyn may not make the ballot (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA)

Lord Prescott said he hoped there would not be a leadership contest as it would being Labour closer to “civil war”.

But he insisted if there is a challenge Mr Corbyn will need the support of 51 MPs and MEPs to get on the ballot paper.

“I believe if he can get sufficient names from the Parliamentary Labour Party , which is the rule under our situation, then he is entitled to be on it,” the former Deputy PM said.

“that’s the rules that we have, you have to get the names.:

Mr Corbyn’s office insist it has legal advice however stating the leader is automatically on the ball to paper if challenged.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror he said: “Those who want to challenge my leadership are free to do so in a democratic contest - in which I will be a candidate.”